Overview

About the organisation:

Ibu Bumi Orangutan is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) established in Spain. The organization is focused on rural development and environmental education such as conservation of endangered species and forest habitat, restoration of degraded ecosystems that link to climate mitigation, and generating income for local people.

We operate in an area of the Bahorok National Park community, which is highly exposed to deforestation and habitat loss. To address this problem, we are working to establish a system of ecotourism and sustainable agricultural development alongside community education.

Our organizational goal is to fulfil a unique role, that of providing education, awareness, equitable development and preserve species such as the critically endangered Sumatran tiger and orangutans. We will pursue this goal through a combination of capacity building, policy implementation, awareness campaign and field projects.

Our strong team of local, national and international professionals are committed to conservation and community development in North Sumatra. We have a range of educational backgrounds, but all share a common passion for protecting wildlife, preserving natural landscapes, and ensuring local people and communities are always at the centre of what we do.

Where you will be:

Gunung Leuser National Park (GNLP) is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, including the world’s highest density of threatened Orangutan populations, as well as Tiger and Elephant populations. It is a critical habitat for Sumatran tigers, with a population estimated at over 50 individuals. The park also harbours many rare and threatened mammals, plants, birds, and fish species. Unfortunately, there are several critical major threats to the ecosystem stem from socioeconomic disparities, inadequate public policies, and insufficient law enforcement. These include:

  • Habitat destruction: Illegal logging, encroachment, and clearing for plantations (oil palm and rubber).
  • Poaching: Illegal hunting is a significant problem.
  • Fragmented Corridors: Wildlife corridors have been cut off by roads and settlements.

We believe in Community-Based Forest Protection. In close collaboration with local farmers, communities, rangers, and the University of North Sumatra, we are working on several projects to both protect wildlife and their habitats and improve the socioeconomic conditions for local people.

  • Empowering Local Communities: Provide greater opportunities for community participation in forest protection and sustainable management.
  • Land Tenure Security: Ensure the status of community-owned land to reduce conflicts with the government.
  • Wildlife research and protection: Deploying and monitoring camera traps, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, coexistence and educational activities
  • Economic Improvement: Improve the local economy through job creation and training (agroforestry, ecotourism), addressing one of the root causes of deforestation.
  • Education: Educating children and local people (English as a second language & environmental education)

We are looking for individuals who:

  • Are passionate
  • Have a sense of adventure
  • Are interested in wildlife and nature conservation
  • Have skills to share (anything from chemistry to communications!)
  • Are resourceful and resilient

Above all, we are looking for passionate, engaged individuals or families who are 100% able to adapt to work and life in the field. If you can’t live without hotel-quality beds and all your creature comforts, this might not be for you.

However, if you are looking for an exciting adventure, at an organisation where you can have a meaningful impact (in a stunning jungle location), we’d love to have you join us!

What will you be doing?

We offer the opportunity to learn in the field and share knowledge, engage with the local community, and develop a range of valuable skills. Our volunteers have the opportunity to assist with our diverse range of conservation, ecotourism, education, and agroforestry activities.

We have two volunteer programs currently active. The activities listed below are a guide to what you could be doing, however, this will also depend on the time of year you are joining us, weather conditions, and the needs of the organisation at that time.

Wildlife Conservation and Research Program – 1 month

This is the perfect option for those wishing to build up real-world conservation and research experience. You will get to spend a week alongside experienced guides in Gunung Leuser NP tracking through tiger territory, exploring the forest, and conducting vital monitoring and research activities. You will also spend 5 days in the wildlife corridor tracking elephants before returning to Sapo Padang to help with educational, agroforestry, ecotourism and other community service activities.

The site where we work is an enclave in the middle of Gunung Leuser National Park at Bahorok. This agroforestry and research program is essential for the conservation of endangered species such as the Sumatran elephants and tigers that live in that area.

Volunteer activities include:

  • Monitoring wild elephants
  • Helping local economy through ecotourism program
  • Children’s educational programs (English and environmental education)
  • Trashbank program and organic composting project
  • Wildlife mitigation initiatives

 

Jungle Enclave Immersion: 7-Day Conservation Experience

For those who are travelling through, or don’t have the time to spend an entire month with us. This is a great way to explore the incredible forest and immerse yourself in community life! Below is an example itinerary of what you may expect. Please note that activities always depend on weather conditions and needs of the organisation at the time.

Day 1: Arrival & Acclimation – Pick-up in Bahorok and transfer to your home base in Selang Pangeran. Settle in, relax, meet your team, and enjoy an introductory walk to familiarize yourself with the area and the mission ahead.

Day 2: The Expedition Begins – If the weather permits, embark on an exhilarating 4-hour motorbike journey deep into the jungle to the remote Sapo Padang enclave. Arrive, set up the forest homestay, and immediately begin the essential tasks: fetching water, gathering firewood, and preparing supplies for your four-day vigil in the forest.

Days 3-5: Enclave Immersion – Four full days dedicated to the core mission. You’ll work alongside local guides on orangutan and wildlife monitoring patrols and assist with sustainable agroforestry initiatives around the enclave. This is where you connect directly with conservation efforts, helping to protect this critical habitat.

Day 6:  A final morning in Sapo Padang before making the journey back to Batu Katak village. Spend the night in our comfortable Guesthouse, enjoying a well-deserved meal and reflecting on your time within the forest.

Day 7: Departure – Departure from the Guesthouse.

Logistics and costs:

We recognise the need for flexibility, so if you need to talk with us about specific dates or trip durations, please get in touch with us!

 Program Duration/Cost Inclusions
Wildlife conservation and research program €2500 for 1 month Activities, NP entry and permits, guides, porters, water and food, special shoes for the forest (from size 36-42)

All transport during activity.

 

Excluded:

Airport pick up

Visa, flights, personal items, insurance or local doctor
Wildlife Corridor in Gunung Leuser €550 per week Activities, permits, guides, porters, water and food, special shoes for the forest (from size 36-42)

All transport during activity.

 

Excluded:

Airport pick up

Visa, flights, personal items, insurance or local doctor

Where does your money go?

We believe in being fully-transparent with how we work, and our volunteer program is no different. So where will your money be spent?

  • Homestay placements with local families
  • Transport between villages for project work each day
  • Visiting Gunung Leuser National Park for activities requires a permit – which costs about €10 per day
  • Guide, porter etc. who accompany the visits and treks in the forest each day
  • Food (x 3 a day), drinks and snacks
  • Activity manager to assist with volunteering work
  • We are continuing to invest in children’s education – this includes purchasing new educational materials as well as building an improved, larger school to increase capacity.
  • When possible, we invest in materials for further research, such as new camera traps for monitoring wildlife

Your contribution not only ensures you have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience, it helps support the salaries of local people and families. We are a very small NGO and your contribution is truly invaluable.

Looking for an internship as part of your studies?

There are possibilities for students who have completed their studies and need an internship to do it with us or those looking for opportunities to gain field experience for their master’s thesis. Get in touch with us and we are happy to discuss.

Useful Links

Website: https://tinyurl.ee/ccvolunteering

Download volunteer booklet: https://tinyurl.ee/volunteer-booklet